Books like Maniac Magee

Looking for books like Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli (Middle Grade Fiction · 820L · grades 4–7)? It’s most often read for its themes of race, homelessness, and family. The 10 titlesbelow are the closest matches in the ReadingList database — each scored on shared themes, genre, and reading level, and each linked to the curricula, states, and grades where it’s assigned, with primary sources.

These are reading-level matches, not just topical ones — so the picks stay grade-appropriate for a grades 4–7 reader. See how we judge text difficulty on our methodology page.

10 books similar to Maniac Magee

Reading the whole similar-books list? Open any title for its Amazon listing — or listen to many of them free with a 30-day Audible trial.

As an Amazon Associate, ReadingList earns from qualifying purchases and membership trials at no extra cost to you.

Why each is a match

Blended610L
Shares themes of race and family, same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), and a close reading level (610L vs 820L).
Planet Omar: Accidental Trouble Magnet820L
Shares themes of family, same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), and a close reading level (820L vs 820L).
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory810L
Shares themes of family, same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), and a close reading level (810L vs 820L).
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH790L
Shares themes of family, same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), and a close reading level (790L vs 820L).
Wonder790L
Shares themes of family, same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), and a close reading level (790L vs 820L).
Ramona Quimby, Age 8860L
Shares themes of family, same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), and a close reading level (860L vs 820L).
One Crazy Summer750L
Shares themes of race and family and a close reading level (750L vs 820L).
Ramona the Pest750L
Shares themes of family, same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), and a close reading level (750L vs 820L).
Bud, Not Buddy950L
Shares themes of race and family and a close reading level (950L vs 820L).
The Wild Robot740L
Shares themes of family, same genre (Middle Grade Fiction), and a close reading level (740L vs 820L).

← Back to Maniac Magee